Hampshire pipeline upgrade completes

An £11 million water pipe project which will futureproof the drinking water network around Fleet, Hampshire, has finished on schedule.

Taking two years to lay, the new 11-kilometre-long pipe is now fully operational and a key section of pipe within the area.

Engineering and construction experts have had to navigate roads, fields, rivers and even a golf course in order to ensure the company can continue to supply top-quality drinking water as the community grows.

Having added the finishing touches last week, the pipe is now fully operational and is already pumping water to customer taps.

Matthew Cooper, Project Manager, said: “This project has been one of the company’s most ambitious pipe-laying projects to date.

“The teams involved have had to overcome significant technical and environmental hurdles while sticking to a very strict time schedule so that we could minimise disruption to the local community.

“I am delighted we have now completed the project on time and the community can benefit from the new pipe for many years to come.”

A series of road and footpath closures have been in place throughout Fleet and the surrounding area in order to keep the public safe from the working area.

Matthew continued: “Projects like these are never without disruption and I know our work has had an impact on the local community.

“On behalf of the entire team, we are really thankful for the continued patience residents and motorists have shown us throughout this vital work.”

Although much of the pipe was installed beneath roads, large sections had to be laid through rural areas.

South East Water is committed to conserving the environment with all its construction work and used innovative methods to protect the environment, including using sniffer dogs to help locate endangered animals like great crested newts so we could then relocate them to another appropriate habitat.

Meanwhile, one of the most challenging areas of the project was to lay more than a kilometre of pipe beneath North Hants Golf Club without disrupting play on the course.

Matthew continued: “Some areas of this project were incredibly challenging for the team but they overcame every hurdle which was thrown at them.

“I am very grateful for all their hard work over the last two years.”

The project formed part of South East Water’s commitment to invest £489 million into improving its infrastructure between 2020 and 2025.

You can find out more information by visiting: southeastwater.co.uk/fleet